Disproportionate response To the boulderer I met in the wood, I said I’m sorry my dog startled you, and I know some people find animals scary. What more could I say? I wasn’t ignoring you when I walked away – the opposite – I’d heard every word and when you got to the bit where […]
What to do if your child doesn’t enjoy school
Distractions on the way to the end of the tunnel
It’s weird. The past 12 months have seen so many frightening and monumental things – firsts, lasts, and who’d have thoughts – yet, now, less than a week from what I hope to be a finishing line and I’m scared. Our new house is nearly finished and (everything crossed) there are no more obstacles, delays […]
On bad news and good news
It’s been a bit of a mixed week for Boy Three – culminating with being fired out of a cannon, cunningly disguised as a cement mixer (the cannon, not the child). He has spent much of the last week twanging with worry about coronavirus. Not surprising really as everywhere he turns, news outlets are giving […]
Metrophobia on National Poetry Day
Metrophobia. Fear of poetry. In the first few classes, I thought it was one of those set-piece jokes like teachers repairing the fabric of the school with leftover dining hall dinners. But then I realised they were serious. Creative writers with a fear of poetry. Who knew? I don’t understand enough about it to be […]